Here we publish articles about research by the Icelandic Fisheries Agency and other reports from the Rangárþing water area.

Jóhannes Sturlaugsson – Björn Theodórsson

Studies from 2021-2023 showed that the area of Eystri-Rangá River above Tungufoss is suitable for salmon after they pass Teitsvötn, a spring-fed river. Eystri-Rangá River is becoming an important habitat for salmon, and this is great news for those working to build a sustainable salmon population in the area. Fishing rights holders below Tungufoss are also happy, as their interests are aligned. Several exciting projects are on the way. Our focus is on creating the best conditions for young salmon to thrive in the area above Tungufoss. We also need to complete the fish passage that will allow salmon to return from the sea to their new spawning ground.

Fish passage construction
Tungufoss waterfall is 4 meters tall while the highest registered salmon jump is 3.5 meters, on average the fish jumps up to 2 meters. This makes it nearly impossible for salmon to travel up the natural barrier. At Keldur, just below Tungufoss, a ravine opens up toward the river, providing an ideal starting point for the fish passage. According to the initial design, the fish passage would go through a rock barrier that would be split open, eventually allowing the passage to emerge about 40 meters above Tungufoss. We can ensure salmon migration to their new habitat by diverting a limited amount of water from Eystri-Rangá into this channel. This slight change will also guarantee the sustainability of the Eystri-Rangá salmon population. Let’s keep in mind that this fish passage project is one of the first steps in fish farming efforts. More detailed plans will be explained in a separate report. As part of this initiative, project leaders have already presented the preliminary drafts and submitted a report to the Fish Farming Fund.

Björn Theodórsson: Aquaculture scientist

When the fishway is in place, salmon will be able to sustainably migrate up the river and use the area for habitat and spawning. We are looking at the long term here, defining goals and working on them since 2021. This is a much more sophisticated approach than I have seen in a long time. It is a great defensive victory to find a water system that is the same length as three times the length of the Elliðaárnar or Laxá í Leirársveiit. The first cohort of sustainable salmon fry has already migrated down the river to the sea and the first salmon are expected to return this summer. The salmon desperately want to get up to their habitat and the fishway is their way there. This project is probably one of the largest in the promotion of new habitats and the expansion of the Icelandic salmon stock.

Hafrannsóknarstofnun og rannsóknir 2013

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